Powee-tbansmitting mechanism



Dec. 4 1923. v1,476,675

` L. P. MOOERS l PowER TRANSMITTING MEGHANISM i 4 Filed July 12, 192.0 4sheets-sheet 1 y nflllllllllII-IIIIIIU W40/Yau@ Dec. 4,1923. 1,476,675

L. P. MOOERS POWER TRANSMITTING MECHANISM Filed Ju1y`12, 1920 4sheets-$11421 2 www.

L. P. MOOERS POWERTRANSMITTING MEGHANISM Filed July 12, 1920 Dec. 41.923.

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 4, 1923.

` 1,476,675 l.. P. Moon-:Rs

POWER TRANSMITTING MEGHANI SM Fu'ed July 12, 1920 4 sheets-sheet 4:

35C 6.l 20a 2Q Patented Dec. 4, 1923.

Louis Pf. momias-or ciNciNNATI, orrio.

rowEnrrRANsMITTING MECHANI'SM.

.rppli'eatnm'k area Jury 12,

mitting! mechanism? particularly to a power transmittingmecli'anism forself-"driven vehicles.

One object of the inventionis Vto e provide av relatively simple powerKtransmitting mechanism the elements of which mayv be readily assembled;removed'fand* adjusted."

Anothervr obj eetl' of-4 the invention' is to* v'pro-- videA` mountingor support, wherebyv the powertransmitting mechanism, including thedifferential andispeedfreducing# elements thereof, can heL completelyassembled, positioned and removedas a' uniti'l A1`Y further s ob'jct ofthe invention isf to' provide novel forms of adjusting devices for' the`shafts of` certain of 'the powervv transmittingf'elements.

Othfer'objects offthe inventionwill be ap# parent'to those skilledinthe'artfto which my inventionrelates 'by reference to the ac@ companying`drawiiigs taken?v inl connection with@ thel following description.

Forfthe`4` purpose of" illustration, Illv have,

herein described one form l of apparatus" embodying my invention.

In-the drawings, Fig. l' is a 'plan' view I of a driving mechanismvembodying my Ainvention;

F ig. 2 isasectionI on the line` 2f'2'offf' Fig. Vl.;v

Fig. v3 is a: section'fonvtheline 3-3 of Figs; 1f and"2,=lookingstoward'the left.

Fig. Lisra section onthe line 1 -+4 of IF-ig.' 2 lookingv toward:` theright.l

Fig.r 5v isa section on the line 5-5 of" Fig. 3.

Figs. 6, 7, 8v and 9are details ofithe adjusting' elements -for theVintermediate shaft.v

FigsnlO, 1l, 1213,14", 15 aredetail'views' of the adjusting: elementsfor' the-drivingV sh'aft.-

In thel drawings, l; indicates as an entiretyzthe rearl'axleofa'vehicle.The axle preferably comprises aPpa-ir of "axle fsections- 2 and ahousing 3, which includes tubular 1920.' serial N01y ass-,58s.

the inner ends of the members 3d; The'fwall; I

3* is enlarged and provide-d with sidewalls' 3b to provide an enlargedcentrally disposed gear receiving Vsection to'venclose" the'differential mechanism, indicated as" anentiretyl at 4f; The walls 3band members 3"" aref'shaped" and constructed toform arrela'- tivelylarge opening 5" on theupper sideof thel axle' housing-to receive theelements of the power transmittingmechanism in the' manner hereinafterset forth'.` Asi will be understood, from Figs. 2 andy 3, 'the upperfree edges of thewalls Bband inner edgesf* offtlie membersaf form aseat' foran inte# grallyl formed cover and gear carrier, indi"-cated.,tr as anf entirety at 6, for the elementsv ofl thef powertransmitting 'mechanism'. The differential mechanism 4, itself, ispreferr ably substantially" similar in construction to the differentialmechanism shown in my ref' issued'Letters Patent No. 12,966, exceptthatin my presentv construction I provideL the* drum` or housing` member 4a'withv a spurgear 7, as shown inFig. 2;

As shown in thedrawings, the cover andgear carrier 6 isconstructed andshaped' for co-operation with the members 3a and-walls 3b', 3b', andto-enclose'certain of the power transmittingmechanism elements, as wellas support" them. For this purpose, the'walls' of the cover'areshaped'to provide chambers 6', 6", preferably arranged at right'aninthe"accompanyingfdrawings, shown and'v gles to each other, to receivecertain elements of the'powerA transmitting mechanism, as will be laterY described'.

Referring to thecover'6,g6a` indicates a .Wall'or flange adaptedftoengage the-seat formed bythe walls 3b and members 3a. They walls 3" maybeprovided with flanges 3c.' The' flanges 3 and free edges ofthe device'10 preferably comprises bearing;

blocks 10a andbearing caps'lO, adapted f'lto support between them4'annular ballbeari'ngs` l2, to the inner race ofeach'Aof-which' thead-Ajacent tubular .extension 4b of the housing member 4 is connected in awell known manner. The members 10, 10", are preferably recessed to forman annular shoulder l against which the'outer race fits.

shown.. the axle sections 2 extend into and throu Ah the tubularextensions 4b, and are" there ore sup orted by the bearings-.12.

The bearing b ock 'l of each bearin sup? porting device 10 isintegrallyk forme with' the cover 6 (see Fig. 4) and the bearing cap10by is connected to the member 10aby means .indicated as an entirety at13. The connecting means 13 preferably comprise openings 13a formed inthe walls of the cover 6, block 101and 'cap 10b and bolts 13" extendingthrough these openings and provided'with 'f nuts 13c on the outside ofthe cover 6 to securethe bolts in positionj(see Fig. 4). 14 indicates la"propeller shaft mounted in the chamber 6 and vprovided'with a bevelgear 15l` (preferably formed integral with it) ada ted to mesh with thegear 11. The sha t. 14 is supported at its inner end upon one side 4ofthe gear 15 by an anti-friction load bearing 16 and upon the other sideof the gear 15 bya.pair of bearings 17 prefer-4 ably adapted to takethrusts in opposite directions. The loadbearing 16 is preferablysupported in an annular seat member l18 f connected to the walls of thechamber 6 and cover 6 by a pair of cap screws 18, as shown in Fig. 5.The bearing may rest against a shoulder 18a formed on the seat member18, it-being held in such position by a shoulder 14*f formed on theshaft 14.

419indicates ,asl'an entirety the mounting' l or support for the thrustbearings 17. Of

this mounting, 19a indicates an annular member forming a seat for thecuter races of the bearings 17. 19b indicates an inturned 1 flangeprovided on the inner end of the seat member 19a and serving as ashoulder for the adjacent outer race. The seat member 19 isA of a sizeto ftsnugly within the open end of the chamber 6. screw threads engagingscrew threads provided on the inner walls ofthe chamber 6',

whereby the seat member 19a can be secured therein and adjusted toproper position. 19c

indicates an abutment member fitting within and adjustably secured,preferably by means of screw threads, to the open end of the seat'member 19a and adapted to engage the adj aeent outer bearing race.races of the bearings `17 are preferably formed in a collar 17 fittingagainst a shoulder formed on the Shaft 14 and held in such position by anut 17 engaging screw threads on the shaft 14. The abutment memberA 19cmay be constructed to entirely close the spacebetween the shaft and seatmember 19 to protect the bearings 17, as shown in Fig. 3. VTo insuredust-proof conditions and the non-escape of the lubricant for thebearings vthe lugs to be moved slightly towardeach `abutment mem-ber19C, respectively.

It is-provided with The inner 17, the wall of the abutment member sur-1rounding the shaft 14 is preferably recessed Y to receive a gasket 19h.

20 indicates as an entirety means for locking the sea'tmember'19a andabutment member 19c inpositionand in fixed relation to each other. Ofthese means, 2()a indicates a pairof. spaced lugs .formed integrallywith the upper side of the walls forming the vchamber 6. The lugs 2Oaare formed with aligned openings toreceive a clamping bolt 20, held inosition b. a nut 20c. The wall of the cham er 6 is s otted at 21 topermit.'

other when the bolt 2Ob and nut 20Care tightened. v The. end wall oftheslot 21 is preferably inclined (see Fig; 3) for a pur-` pose to bepresently set forth. 22, 22 indicate a plurality of slots or notches`formed in the walls 'of the v.seat member 19a and The slots or notchesin each of said members are Vsol preferably uniformly spaced from each Iother and so arranged that theslots vor notches in one member canregister withthe slots or notches in the other member.. 23

indicates a` key arranged to `forman inter# AThe rear end of the arm 23cis inclined, as

shownat 23C (see Fig. 3) to'engage the inclined end` wall of the slot21. The arm 23d Vextends downwardly and projects into the adjacent slotsor `notches 22, 22', formed in the members 19, 19C,`to lock the latterinV position and in fixedrelation tofeach other.

At 24, the key 23 may be cut away Vto accommodate the screw threadsl onthe other surface of the seat member 19a. f

25 indicates an intermediate or counter! shaft extending through thechamber 6y and arranged to support the gear 11. Thelop.- posite ends ofthe shaft 25 are supported 1n suitable anti-friction bearings 26,27,mounted Within the walls of saidlchamber. As shown the chamber 6* isopen at its opposite 'ends and thebearings 26, 27, are arranged `at orin close proximity to these open ends so as to permit ready accessthereto. The

yshaft 25 may be provided with a collar 25 and the latter may be formedwith a plurality of screw threaded open-ings 25a'. The f gear 11 isrigidly secured to the collar 25V by a plurality of cap screws v25bwhich extend through `openings formed inthe gear 11 and engage thescrewthreads of the openings 25 (see Fig. 3).

The bearing 26 is a load bearing. TheV inner edge of the innerrace ofthebearingl 26 fits; against; aV shoulder 28provided onr` the-shaft 25.,the outer race fits snugl)7 within the walls of the chamber 6*, but maybe held against outwardy displacement by a the opposite openend of theychamber.

Of these means 30a"indicates-a seatmember having aninturned flange 3,01at its outer end. The flange 30h forms a shoulder against whichftheouterfrace. of thel outer bearing Y27 rests. At its inner end, the seatmember 30? isprovid'ed with screw threads to adjustably hold infplace aring 31.' The ring 31.*is arranged to be positioned against the outerLrace. ofvv thev inner bearing 27; by proper adjustment ofy thering 31the outer races of both bearings 27 can be adjusted. The inner races forthe bearings-27', 27 are preferablyv fonnedintegrally, by means of aring or` collar 32, whiclrat its inner end fits. .against a shoulder32afformed on the shaft 25..,The. ring 32 is .held against the shoulder32*l by a. nut 33 engaging suitable screw threads. onthe outer end ofthe shaft 25.

34 indicates screw threads. provided on the outer., surface of the seatmember 30 and arranged toengage screw threads formed on the .innerwallof the chamber 6X. These co'.-

operatingscrew threads permit the seatt the wall forming thc chamber 6X.The lugs 35 are formed with. aligned openings to receivea clamping; bolt35h which is held in. position by a nut 35C.. The; wall of the chamber6,X is slottedatfSG to permit the lugs to. be` moved slightly; towardeach other 'when the, boltb and nut 35? are tightened.

l The endlwallfoffthe Slot ispreferably inclined (see-Eig. 2) forapurpose to be pres'- ent-ly set forth. 37. indicates a plurality ofslotsor notchesformedv inthe. outer wall, andpreferablyxnear the outerend of the 'seat member 30a. The slots or: notches 37 are preferablyuniformly. spaced from each other, as shown in Fig.' 7 ofthe drawings.38 indicates a key; arranged to'v form an interlock. between the walloftheV chamber 6X and the Seat. member 30a. Thekeyy 38 is of suitable sizeto lit between the lugs 35a and be clamped thereby whenithebolt 35h andnut 35, are tightened. The key preferably comprises a body portion 38aformed with an opening 38"v through which the bolt 35h passes,.and arms38c and 38d, preferably arranged at righty angles to earch other. Therear end of the arm 38c isinclined as shown at 38 (see Fig. 8)v toengage the inclined end'wa-ll of the slot36.

.The armBSb extends downwardly and projects into the adjacent slot.` ornotch` 37v formed in the seat member 30a to lock2 the latter inposition. At 39 the key 38may be cut away to accommodate the screwthreads on the outer surfacel of. the seatv member 30a.

40 indicates a closure plateor cap arranged to close the open end of thecham-` ber 6X adjacent to the bearing 27. This cap is preferablyprovided with screw threads which engage the screw threads formed on theinner wall of the chamber 6X. The outer surface of the cap 40 may beprovided with a projecting lug41 of.' polygonal shape to takev asuitable. tool,', whereby it may be easily positionedand removed.

-l2 indicates a spur pinionfixed to the/intermediate shaft-25.. Thepinion 42 is pref erably formed integral with the intermef diate shaft:25 and arranged near one end thereof in close proximity' to the loadbear-- ing 26. The pinion Li2 meshes with the spur gear 7 carried by thedrum or housing 4u. To provide for the arrangement just referred to, thespur gear 7 is arranged at orV near the adjacent circumferentialedge ofthe drum 4a. This constructionfand arrangement also permits the gear 11to be arrangedy at or near the opposite end of the intermediate shaft 25and free of the drum 4a and in close proximity to the bearing 27. Italso permits the use of a; gear 11 that is of relatively large size, andtothereby provide a relatively low speed reduction rat-io between thepropellerA shaft 14 and intermediateshaft 251 From the foregoingdescription it will be seen that the power transmitting elements betweenthe differential mechanism 4;- and the power shaft (notshown)iconnected.with the engine of the vehicle are constructed'andarranged toprovide for doublereduction in speed; it will further bevunderstood that these elements are. relatively few in number and. are,capable of. easy: assembly, adjustmentv and removal. Further it will beseen that but two. power. transmitting. shafts are required andthat eachthereof. are supported at opposite ends by anti-friction bearings, oneof which is a load bearing and the other of which is capable of takingthrusts in both directions and of adjustment to insure properco-operative engagement between the gears 11 and l5.

Again, it will be noted that the bearings for the shaft 25 are mountedin openings formed in walls of the casing element 6; and that as thewallsof these openings `are integrally formed, the bearings are rigidlysupported thereinf and serve to take all thrusts and stresses on theshaft due to the transmission of the power therethrough.

In order to remove the shaft 25 with the gears l1 and 42 thereon as aunit, it will be noted that the following is all Athat is required,assuming that the differential mechanism has first been removed from thecover 6: remove the closure plate 41, then the nut 33, then thesupporting means 5%() With the bearings 27 intact. This frees the end ofthe shaft adjacent the Agear ll.. The closure plate 29 is then removedand after that the bearing 26. The shaft 25 is then free at both ends.It may be pushed cndwise in the cover 6 until the end adjacent the gear11 frees the Walls of the opening in the cover for the bearing 27 andthen may be withdrawn from the cover.

From the foregoing description it will also be understood that all oftheV power transmitting and speed reducing elements, including thedifferential mechanism are supported upon and by a single, integrallyformed cover and gear carrier which thereby permits these elements andmechanism to be assembled and adjusted as a unitary structure andpositioned Within the axle housing to receive the vinner endg` of theaxle sections 2. Again, since the cover and gear carrier are formedintegrally and but relatively 'few power transmitting elements Iarerequired, my invention has. the advantage of transmitting power of theengine to the rear axle with minimum friction losses.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates manyalterations in construction and widely differing embodiments andapplications of my invention will suggest themselves without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and description hereinare purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any senseAlimiting.

What I claim is:

l. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an axlehousing having an enlarged centrally disposed gear receiving sectionwith an opening through its upper Wall, an integrally formed cover andgear carrier for said opening having pairs of aligned openings, theWalls of one of which pairs of' openings are integrally formed with thecover, a differential mec-hanism mounted at either end inthe walls ofone pair ol' said openings, aicounter'shaft mounted at either' end inthe walls of' the other pair of said openings, being those which areintegrally formed with the cover,

and disposed parallel to the axisl of' said differential mechanism, avclosure plate for each of said last described openings, reduc-V tiongearing between said countershaft and the housing of said differentialmechanism, a propeller shaft mounted in saidv cover at an angle to saidcountershaft, VreductionV gearing between said lpropeller shaft and saidcountershaf't, and means for securing said cover to said axle housing.

2.V In apparatus of,V the character` described, the combination of anaxle housing havingan enlargedcentrally disposed gear housing of saiddifferential mechanism., a.

propeller shaft mounted in said cover at an angle to said countershaft,reduction gearing between said propeller shaft and said counter-shaft,and means for securing said cover to said axle housing, saidcountershaft being endwise shiftable in said cover, so that when saiddifferential mechanism and closure plates are Vdetached from said'cover, said counters'haft with gears thereon may be removed from orinserted into the cover as a unit.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an axlehousing having an enlarged centrally disposed gear receiving sectionkwith an opening through its upper wall, an integrally formed vcover andgear carrier for said opening having a pair of opposed depending bearingblocks with bearing caps and a pair of aligned openings through oppositeside walls of'said cover, the walls of said last described openingsbeing integrally formed with said cover, an anti-friction bearingmounted in each of said bearing blocks, a differential mechanismreduction tween said countershaft and differential housing, a propellershaft extending through iand suitably mounted in said cover, reductionv,gearing between said propeller shaft and said countershaft, and nieansfor securing said cover to said axle housing.

4. In apparatus of' the character described,

,the combination of an axle liousing'having aneiilarged centrallydisposed gear receiving section with an opening through its upper wall,yan integrally formed cover and gearcarrier for said opening having apair of opposed depending bearing blocks with bearing caps and a pair ofaligned openings through opposite -si-de Walls of said cover, the wallsof said last described openings being integrally formed with said cover,bolts extending through said bearing caps, bearing blocks and`cover,nuts on said bolts on the outside ofsaidfcover for securing saidcover,

bearing block, bolts and bearing caps together, an anti-friction bearingmounted in "each of said bearing blocks, a differential ymechanismhaving a suitable housing mounted at either end in one of saidanti-friction bearings, vanti-friction bea-rings mounted in saidalignedopenings in said side walls of the cover, ,a closure plate for each ofsaid last described openings, a countershaft mounted at either end inone of said last mentioned anti-,frictionbearings, reductiongearingbetweensaid countershaft and differential housing, a'prope'llershaft extending through and suitably mounted-in said cover, reductiongearing between said propeller shaft and said countershaft, and meansfor securing said cover to said axle housing.

5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an axlehousing having an enlarged centrally disposed gear receiving sectionwith an opening through its upper wall, an integrally formed dover andgear carrier for said opening having a pair of opposed depending bearingblocks with bearing caps and a pair of aligned openings through oppositeside walls of said cover, the walls of said last described openingsbeing integrally formed with said cover, an anti-friction bearingmounted in each of said bearing blocks, a differential mechanism havinga suitable housing mounted at either end in one of said anti-frictionbearings, anti-friction bearings mounted in said aligned openings insaid side walls of the cover, a closure plate for each of said lastdescribed openings, a countershaft mounted at either end in one of saidlast mentioned anti-friction bearings and insertible and withdrawablefrom said cover by endwise movement through one of said openings adistance sufficient to swing the other end out of the cover, reductiongearing between said countershaft and differential housing,

a propeller shaft extending through and suitablyY mounted in said cover,reduction gearing betw en said propeller shaft and said oouiitershaft,and means for securing said cover to said axle housing, whereby theremoval-of said differential mechanism,clo sure 'plates and 1bearingsfor said countershaft permits the Withdrawal of said countershaft withgearing thereon as a unit.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination ofl an axlehousing having an enlarged centrally disposed gear receiving sectionwith an opening through its upper wall, an integrally formed cover andgear carrier for said opening having a pair of opposed depending bearingblocks with bearing caps and a pair of aligned openings through oppositeside Walls of said cover, the walls of said last described openingsbeing integrally formed with said cover, a closure plate for each ofsaid side wall openings, au anti-friction bearing mounted in each ofsaid bearing blocks, a differential mechanism having a suitable housingmounted at either end in one of said anti-friction bearings,anti-riction bearings mounted in said aligned openings in said sidewalls of the cover, a -c'ountersha-ft mounted at either end in one ofsaid last mentioned anti-friction bearings, reduction gearing betweensaid countershaft and differential housing, a propeller shaft Lextendingthrough and suitably mounted in said cover, reduction gearing betweenSaid propellor shaft and said countershaft, and means for securing saidcover to said axle housing, whereby said'cover with countershaft,differential mechanism and reduction gearing may be assembled with ordisassembled from said axle housing as a unit.

7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an axlehousing having an enlarged centrally disposed gear receiving sectionwith an opening through its upper wall, an integrally formed cover andgear carrier for said opening having a pair of opposed depending bearing'blocks with aligned openings therethrough and a second pair of alignedopenings through the opposite side walls of said cover, the walls ofsaid last described openings being integrally formed with said cover, aclosure plate for each of said side wall openings, a differentialmechanism having a suitable housing mounted at either end in theadjacent bearing block, a countershaf't mounted at either end in theintegrally formed walls of said opening through the adjacent side wallof said cover, reduction gearing between said countershaft anddifferential housing, a second gear on said countershaft, a propellershaft extending through said cover, an antifriction bearing for theinner end of said lpropeller shaft, a ring carrying said antifrictionbearing anddetachably connected to said cover by meansextending throughthe cover and operable from the outside thereof, a gear on saidpropeller shaft meshing with said second gear on the countershaft forsaid propeller shaft, an anti-friction bearing on the outer side of saidgear thereon, a ring carrying said last described anti-friction bearingand removably secured in said cover, whereby said propeller shaft withgear, bearings and supporting rings for both said bearings may beinserted into or removed from said cover as a unit.

8. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an axlehousing having an enlarged gear receiving section with an openingthrough its upper wall, an integral cover and gear carrier removablysecured to said housing to close said opening, said cover having a gearreceiving chamber and a pair of opposed bearing blocks` 'bearing capstherefor, bearings carried thereby, a suitable differential mechanismmounted in said bearings, the side walls of said cover being providedwith aligned openings, 'bearingstherein, a countershaft mounted in saidlast described bearings, closure plates for said last named openings,speed reduction gearing between said countershaft and differentialmechanism, a propeller shaft carried by and suitably mounted in saidcover at an angle to said countershaft, speed reduction gearing betweenthe propeller shaft and said countershaft and enclosed by said cover,and means for removably securing said cover to said axle housing,whereby said cover, counter- Shaft and diiferential mechanism may beremoved as a unit from said axle housing.

9. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an axlehousing having an enlarged gear receiving section with an openingthrough its upper wall, an integral cover and gear carrier removablysecured to said housing to close said opening, the side walls of saidcover being formed with aligned openings, the walls of which areintegrally formed, bearings located in said openings, a countershafthaving gears thereon and mounted at either end in said bearings, closureplates for said openings, said cover having a pair of opposed bearingblocks depending substantially in alignment with said bearings, bearingcaps for said blocks, bearings removably carried by said blocks andcaps, a suitable differential mounted in said last mentioned bearings,said bearing blocks being sufliciently spaced apartito permit theremoval of said eountershaft and gears thereon as a unit when saidbearings and differential have been removed from said cover, a propellershaft carried by'and suitably mounted n said cover at an angle'to saidcountershaft, speed reduction gearing between said propeller shaft andsaid countershaft and enclosed by said cover, and speed reductiongearing between said countershaft and enclosed b said cover, and andmeans for remova ly securing said cover to said' axle housing.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LoUIs P. MooERs.

